Note: This article has been excerpted from the SmallGroups.com Best Church Practices training tool Small-Group Ministry.
Small-Group Ministries at Community Church
John Smith, Leader of the Small-Groups Ministry Team
Mary Jones, Small-Groups Coordinator
The Small-Groups Ministry Team wants to help everyone at Community Church find and be a part of an active small group. We believe small groups are the key to connecting in a biblical way with other members at Community Church. A small group provides healthy fellowship in a community marked by Christian love and oneness. Small groups can help you to "grow up" as a Christian, including helping you discover and learn to use your spiritual gifts.
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Do you desire to become more like Christ? |
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Are you looking for a way to connect more deeply with others at Community Church? |
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Are you wanting to grow in prayer, Bible study, service, support and accountability? |
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Are you in a small group which is looking to grow in focus and influence? |
If so, then Community Church's small-groups ministry is for you!
It's easy to get lost in a crowd—to feel lonely even though you may be surrounded by worshipers on a given Sunday. That's why Community Church has a small-groups ministry. We want everyone to have the opportunity to be known and cared for and to find their niche in ministry. People grow faster spiritually in a caring, interactive group where they can feel free to ask their real questions and sense the support of the group.
The small group is as much "church" as the larger convening of believers. Jesus' ministry was in small groups as well as large. All of the "one another" commands in Scripture (love one another; pray for one another; be kind to one another) can only be truly obeyed and experienced in a small group.
There are about 40 small groups of Community Church people that meet throughout the week in various places and at various times. Their leaders/coordinators are all volunteers—people who love to help others grow as disciples of Christ.
Community Church's small groups are as different as they are many. There are men's groups, women's groups, groups for couples with young children, for mothers of young children, college and career groups, and still others getting ready to start up.
Our groups also focus on a wide variety of functions:
- Task oriented
- Caring and support
- Study
- Building relationships
- Prayer
- Covenant/accountability
- Mixed agenda
Community Church's small-group ministry team seeks to:
- Launch new small groups at Community Church for those who would like to participate—especially for new and recent members.
- Link those who are looking for a certain type of small group with one that is open for new members.
- Give Lift to existing small groups by offering training in group dynamics, disciple-making in small groups, and leadership development.
Contacts
If you'd like to get involved with a small group at Community Church, e-mail smallgroups@communitychurch.org.
You can also contact John Smith at jsmith@communitychurch.org or Mary Jones at maryjones@communitychurch.org.
John R. Throop; copyright 2008 © by Christianity Today.
